LEWISTON — The Lewiston Public Library is beginning its Summer Reading Game with a Meet Your Local Heroes event at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 20.

Children will meet Lewiston firefighters, ambulance drivers, doctors, nurses, a therapy dog (and owner), a 911 dispatcher, a lifeguard, a home visitor, an Air Force pilot, a surgeon and more.

A fire truck and ambulance will be parked outside the Library and the rest of the program will be on the third floor in the Callahan Hall. All essential services, including the people from Grants Bakery, will be at the Library until 1 p.m..

Children and their families can pick up logs to keep track of their reading and win a prize every week for the eight weeks of the game. School-age children read two hours per week or more to win, and prereaders win by being read to.

Every week that the goal is met the kids win a prize such as a brand new paperback book, a free game of bowling at Spare Time Recreation, a Sea Dogs ticket, a free swim at the YWCA, an individual pizza from Pizza Hut or Sam’s Pizza, an ice cream cone from Gifford’s, or a Whopper from Burger King. Every child who wins six out of the eight weeks also scores a Public Library T-shirt.

Four more events will happen in the Library’s Callahan Hall after the Local Heroes. All these following events are free but tickets from the Children’s Room are required. At 11 a.m. Monday, June 22, Mad Scientists will demonstrate the science of superpowers using parabolic ears, laser modulators and a jet pack.

At 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, Jordan Benissan will give a free demonstration of West African drumming for families. Benissan is a Master Drummer from Togo and teaches at Colby College.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, June 27, Lindsay & Her Puppet Pals will present a highly interactive comedic performance to delight the young with thoughtful and memorable short tales.

Finally, at 11 a.m., Monday, July 6, Lewiston’s own The Great Stephan will perform astounding magic to boggle the minds of young and old alike.

Three story times are scheduled every week — Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — because reading to young children is proven to be the single most important thing a parent can do to prevent the “summer slide” and ensure their child’s success in school.

FMI call 207-513-3133 or visit lplonline.org.